The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-08-28
A SOUTHERN LEADER.
DR.. Kelley Lectures on Forrest ana
His Men.
The Compliment Bestowed BIZ Gen.
Lee--semc Of the Memories OF
war Times I'm Tennessee.
Nashville Americans Report Of DR.. KelIey's
Montsagle Lecture.

presented TO Forrest, who was man
TO attract attention anywhere. He
stood six feet high, had large mas
sive head, projecting forehead, calm
gentle, dignified manner. On horse
back his presence was grand. He
knew q good horse and could ride
one approximately. The day before
the battle Of Shiloh, Forrest was
made colonel, DR.. Kelley second
in command, lieutenant colonel. In
1863 and 1864, they were sometimes
separated. In passing, DR.. Kelley
said he did not believe Tennessee or
the South appreciated the fine ca
pacity Of Forrest.
Lee once said in reply TO the ques-
ton, who has displayed tho great.
est aptitude for tactics2" "A man /
never saw, in West Tennessee. Gen.
Forrest"
johnson said that Forrest was bet
ter suited to certain difficult places
than any man in America.
The Compile do Paris said once
Forrest was q brigand; his men
were rufhans. From such an i'm.
putation DIR. Kelley said he felt no
effort should BIO lost 10 vindicate
him. The opening in Kentucky Of
the campaign at Sacramento was
made, Forrest leading, Col. Kelley
in the center, Col. Stoarns in the
rear. There was news that Gen.
Crittenden (FederaD was near. For.
rests first command OF "Charge |
Charged" was given a mile below
Sacramento. Lieutenant Colonel
Kelley could not charge through
the men Of his own command, so,
obtaining permission Of his colonel,
he made a flank movement 10 the
right, and advanced quickly. They
overlook the bluecoats at Sacra.
mento. The people were out yell
ing: Run, bluecoats; catch them,
blackcoats y Disorder OF course
ensued, and the chase was pursued
A little incident was recounted OF
Forrest. Calling upon q wounded
prisoner at his home, he asked for
the wounded man, then said to his
wife: Madam, ] turn this prisoner
over TO you" The woman rapture
shone through tears, aud she threw
her arms around his knees. Forrest
was touched. The drops fell upon
his hands as he took his chargers
reins from the aides hand and rode
swsy.
The next point Of battle touched
was Fort Donelson. The fight was
within gunshot range. A terrific
eight ensued, and complete victory
for the Confederatcs. After this
Forrest urged an advance, but Gen.
Pillow, the tried veteran, hearing
that the Foderals had rcoccupied tho
camp, refused 10 stir, and the advan-
tago was lost. Floyd and Buckner
sustained Pillow in the resolve,
Forrest knew the men would work
toward place OF safety-Nashville.
When they did reach II Johnston had
gone.
Straight started from Tuscumbia
across country to Rome, Ga, where
supplies were. Gen. Roddy Joined
him-all told. llo0 men and four
guns in three squads. Most generals
would have followed Straight; For.
rest went TO battle the moment we
met Straight. For three days For.
rest never gave him time TO cat or
sleep-pursuing, Joining battle, etc.
Having trayorsed tho whole OF
Alabama, his men reduced TO
800, Straight with 1900 ~
100 men on mountain side,
a desperate pitched battle CO.
sued. Forrest took 10 his strong.
hold strategy, turning his artillery
on his skirmish line, giving an i'm
preston Of a reserve. At white
heat OF battle he sent a man forward
10 demand surrender, with q flag Of
truce. Officers came 10 Straight "a
ask what they will do with fresh
troops, ETC.; Straight's men askins
relief, etc., pcrploSed aud deceived
In the enemies numbers, In spite o.
his endurance, he surrendered
Imagine his chagrin 10 find he hAC
given up 10 one third Of his owl
number Forrest made excuses ioI
absent men, supp sod 20 be, bu
frankly acknowledged he had no
enough men 10 guard the prisoners
DIR. Kelly went back 20 Fort Doncl
son 20 illustrate another charac
tcriSic OF the man aud his supersii
tious mind. Ills men had but onl
effective gun 20 defend against thl
gunboats. The mon sat on thoi
horses listening aud praying.
H..~sf. aaI.aal IL ~
was not developed. His superstition
belief in Gods power, his mother
aud wiie's prayers sustained him
lie rode by Col. Kelly with th
words, Are you pTAying2 SO an
l." Alter Missionary Ridgc For
rest was 80 aggravated by the iailur
10 pursue the advantage that b
told Bragg ut was an outrage.
Shortly after this Gen. Forrest wa
placed under Gen. Wheeler, Of Ala
bamA. Forrest always believed tina
had the victory Of Fort Donolso
been followed up the whole com
mand of RodefAls could have bee
captured. SO indignant was he tina
10 a rage he resigned his comman
10 Bragg. but President Davis woul
not accept IL.
There was present az this lcctur
Col. Taylor, Of Memphis, command
or OF the Seventh Tennessee. 4
him DR.. Kelley referred ailcctionatc
ly from time 10 time. At this poiu
We we're introduced 70 that iamou
corps, the Seventh Tennessee,
Forests troops Reduced 10 th
minimum Of numbers, IL was nect,
sary for him 10 raise addition
troops. Going into West Tcnnose,
In q very short time be gathered an
returned 10 Middle Tennessee wit
1000 men, unarmcd, many OF thol
desortefs from the army In NirginiI
These men were guarded. or rattle
protected, by 100 guns. Thrg
weeks he took 10 accomplish Il. n
arms we're furnished the brave OF
gauiEor, ave lew old fint-loc
rifles, Onc-third OF them useless. |
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